The London Olympians vs Maidstone Pumas (photo-gallery)
[Olympians 85 - Pumas 0] July 25, 2010

With an opening drive that resulted in a fumble, which was recovered by the Olympians in the Pumas red zone, there was no doubt that the home team made their intention known. The strength of the defence realised three TDs from two interceptions and a fumble recovery. The best description that typified the nature of the Olympians defence would be 'swarming'.

With a fumble recovery to open their first drive the Olympians QB Tomislav Biberovic went to the rushing game and running back Seun Shobande rushed for 3,11 and 4 yards respectively. Fullback Alex Gabriel attempted a rushing TD but only managed a yard however this set up Biberovic who then ran in the TD himself. Kicker Chris Davies converted the PAT to give the Olympians the lead 7-0. The Pumas came back with another drive that was fruitless and made worse with a punt snap resulting in a safety to the Olympians, 9-0. The Olympians scored on their next drive after gaining good field position. Wide receiver Folley Ogundele took a 22-yard catch and Shobande rushed 16 yards to score his first TD, whilst Davies obliged to convert the PAT, 16-0.

The Pumas did finally get going on their third drive and it gave a message of caution to the Olympians defence if they were ever going to decide to ease off. Pumas running back Andy Garland ran for 14 yards to notch a first down. He then followed it up with a 3-yard run but soon afterwards their QB was picking himself off the ground after a sack by Olympians linebacker Michael Omeru. The punt that followed was blocked and recovered by DB Ashton Campbell to give the Olympians another safety, 18-0. From the kick-off Olympians returner Kenny Bello the ball back 50 yards to establish great field position. Wide receiver Daniel Jeanton took a 25-yard catch, running back Toyin Omodara ran 5 yards and Bello finished the drive with a TD catch. The PAT was good and took the score to 25-0.

The Olympians defence had now shut down the Pumas offence and only allowed a 6 and 5 yard scramble by their QB John Bowden followed by a 3-yard rush by running back Daniel Malyan for the rest of the half. Olympians receiver Karim El-Sayed caught a 5-yard pass, Omodara rushed 7 yards and Ogundele caught a 9-yard TD pass. Receiver Bello caught a 2-point PAT to add to the score, 33-0. In following Olympians drive it all went on the ground with Omodara rusing for 14 yards and Shobande 5, 6 and 7 yards respectively before scoring his second TD of the day. The score moved up to 39-0 with a successful PAT.

The Pumas defence were not completely overwhelmed because the next drive of the Olympians saw runs by running back Toyin Dawudu for 5 and 8 yards, El-Sayed catch for 6 yards, running back Jordan Stokes back to back 4-yard runs then a turnover went to the Pumas in mid-field. The last drive for the half by the Olympians typified the start of the game as receiver Shaun Stillwell took an 18-yard pass and ran the rest of the distance for a TD and kicker Davies converted the PAT, 46-0.

The second half started sprightly for the Olympians with a 56-yard kick-off return by Bello followed with an 11-yard catch by rookie wide receiver Jake Tedder. Pumas defence had seemingly found a rhythm and forced a three and out thereafter. DB Mark Finney who ran 50 yards for the TD reciprocated this with an Olympians interception and receiver Jeanton converted the 2-point PAT, 54-0. Another short-lived drive by the Pumas then saw Shobande rush for 8 yards and 32 yards for his third TD and the PAT was good, 61-0. QB Biberovic gave way to Bishop Adkins briefly and Duke University bound rookie receiver Wills Johnston took a 50-yard pass for a TD and running back Stokes caught the 2-point conversion, 69-0.

On their proceeding drive the Pumas moved the ball 14 yards after a pass interference followed short yardage gain and this gave them some daylight. Not for too long though, because DB Finney got his second pick of the day. Running backs Forrester Osei, Dawudu and Omodara subsequently rushed for 5, 2, and 2 yards respectively. Not wanting to punt kicker Davies then opted for the field goal and was successful from 48 yards out, 72-0.

From this point onwards, it was all about the Olympians and saw defensive tackle Victor Olamide recover his forced fumble and return it 47 yards for a score. However, the PAT was no good, 78-0. The Pumas tried to capitalise on The Pumas tried to capitalise on a penalty that gave them decent field position and their running back Paul Crawford rushed for 25 yards. Despite the score, this was very nervy times for the Olympians defense and they pulled off another interception by DB Tai Bello who ran 67 yards for a TD. The converted PAT by Victor Olamide to close the scoring at 85-0.

The last drive of the game went to the Pumas, they still fought hard to gain a 30-yard penalty, and Crawford for 7 yards. It was all too late because by now, time had run out and the game ended there. This was a defensive stance by the Olympians and defensive lineman Darren Whitney and rookie CB Paul Roberts, on his first start, each accounted for a sack. Defensive linemen Capt. Rob Williams and nose guard Paul Jaggers sharing a third sack against the Pumas QB.

The next scheduled game is on 22 August 2010 against the Norwich Devils at Hewitt School on Cecil Road, Norwich
, kick-off is at 2:30pm.